A Different Side (University Park #4) (6 page)

“Hey, watch it.” I jumped back, trying to pull her hand out of my underwear without spilling my beer, but she only wrapped her fingers tighter around my junk.

She laughed and then let go. “Sorry, I just couldn’t resist.”

“Dude, I never thought you’d make it.” Shawn appeared from behind Macy. The same four girls surrounded him and as I did a double take, I noticed two of them were Macy’s friends. Apparently, they had some kind of gothic look going on: black clothes, black lipstick, and black nails.

“Aww, hell, this is who you’re hanging out with?” I shook my head as I tucked my shirt into my pants. I needed to keep Macy under my control until I was ready to leave. It was too early to get caught up with her. If she was around after midnight, I’d take her home. Along with her roomies. Shawn could have the other two girls I didn’t know.

“What?” Shawn looked at the girls on the left and then the girls on the right before giving me a big smile.

“Raven, we’ve been waiting for you.” Macy’s roommate, Jennifer, leaned forward, giving me a full shot of her cleavage. The girl had a huge set on her, along with some killer curves. I felt the drool slip from my mouth. I finally looked away when I noticed someone’s hand extended in front of me.

“What’s up, my man?” Luke Thompson, the baseball player/trainer we had worked out with a few days ago, was standing next to me.

“Luke. Good to see you.” I shook his hand and casually took note of the hot girl on his arm. Long, dark hair cascaded down her back and her eyes were a vibrant blue. I had seen her at parties before, but always with a different guy.

“Hey, Shawn.” They bumped fists. “Looks like you have your hands full.”

Shawn’s eyes widened and a sly grin spread across his face. “I guess you can say that.” He was eating this up, but if I knew him, he’d end up going home alone.

Luke’s girl did a quick sweep and then twitched her lips to the side. Obviously, she wasn’t impressed by Shawn’s choice.

“Shel, where’s Josh?” I asked when she stepped next to me.

“Over there with the guys.” She pointed to nowhere in particular as she leaned against me to fix the strap of her shoe.

“You okay?”

“Stupid shoe is messed up,” she muttered, followed by a string of curse words.

I caught a whiff of her breath and had to clear the air with my hand. “Damn, did you drink a whole bottle of tequila?”

“Something like that.” She threw her head back and laughed.

“Take it easy,” I glanced at my watch, “it’s not even eleven yet.”

She ignored my suggestion and tugged on Luke’s girl’s arm.

“Come on, let’s go dance.”

The girl hesitated for a moment, and then said, “Oh, alright.” She turned to Luke. “I’ll be back. I’m going to dance with Shelby.”

Luke nodded, and she and Shelby scurried off to the jammed packed dance floor.

“You guys played hard.” Luke took a swig of his beer. “Sent those boys home crying to their momma.”

“I know that’s right.” I tipped my beer to his. “No way in hell were they going to beat us this year.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Shawn said, lifting his beer to his mouth.

“So, how’s the shoulder?” Luke motioned with his head to my right arm. “I saw the way you landed on it.”

I clenched my hand around it, noticing the throbbing pain that had yet to go away. “Yeah, I hyperextended it.” I grimaced when I tried to lift it. “I’m just glad we have a bye week. I need to let it rest.”

“I guess that means I won’t see you at the gym.” Luke inclined his head.

I gave a slight shrug. “I don’t know. It all depends on what the doctors recommend I do. I have an appointment Monday, so I guess I’ll have to wait and see.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Shawn inching his hand up one of the girl’s legs, getting more comfortable by the minute. “Even if he doesn’t go, I’ll be there with Josh,” Shawn mentioned.

“Sounds good.” Luke took another drink of his beer.

We talked for a while about different types of exercises he wanted to show us, and it pissed me off that my shoulder was hurt. I really wanted to workout with him again. I had to admit, my workout last week was ten times better than with Stevens. Luke knew his stuff.

“Oh shit.” Shawn shot up and I turned around to see Quinton and Matt pulling Josh away from some dude.

“I swear, I’ll break your fucking hand next time!” Josh struggled to break away.

“Calm down. He’s leaving,” Quinton said, trying to reason with Josh. I rushed over to them. This wasn’t the first time I had to step in. Josh could be a little hotheaded.

“Come on, man. Cool it.” I tried to get his attention, but his eyes were fixed on the guy being dragged out of the house.

Josh let out a heavy breath and took a step back. Quinton released him and Josh rolled his shoulders a few times as his nostrils flared. “And what the hell were you doing?” He pointed his finger in Shelby’s face.

“Come on. Fight’s over,” Quinton informed everyone, trying to get the crowd to disperse.

“I didn’t do anything, Josh.” Shelby stumbled back. It was obvious the liquor had hit. Her hair was a disheveled mess and her shirt was clinging to her skin, soaked with sweat. “I was just dancing.”

“Bullshit. That guy was humping you from behind and you were enjoying it.”

Shelby’s eyes glassed over and she blinked slowly, as though trying to comprehend what Josh had said. “No I wasn’t. I was just trying to have a good time.” She pouted and threw her arms around his neck. “I thought it was you for a second.”

“Whatever,” Josh protested, trying to peel her lanky arms from around him. Shelby swayed slightly, but pressed her body to his, rubbing against him. “Stop,” Josh demanded, “I’m not in the mood.”

“I can change that.” Shelby continued to grope him until they were lip locked.

Josh pulled her closer, his hands squeezing her butt. He lifted her and Shelby wrapped her legs around his waist. A few people whistled, while others clapped. The lovebirds had made up. Josh made his way through the crowd with Shelby clinging to him. They exited the party, just like always.

Drink.

Get drunk.

Fight.

Have make-up sex.

Sounded effin’ awesome.

∑

Chapter 4

Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something.

~Morihei Ueshiba

My phone beeped and I peeled my eyes open. A vengeful throb consumed my head and I cursed myself for taking those damn shots. I tried to move and realized I was pinned to the bed. But it wasn’t my bed…or my apartment. I looked down and noticed long hair in a variety of colors splayed across my chest. Several arms and hands touched various parts of my body, trying to claim me.

Aw shit.

I pulled one arm out of the heap of bodies and reached between my legs. My balls were sore and my dick felt like it had gone for four quarters. What the hell happened? One of the girls stirred, causing a chain reaction of soft sighs and whimpers. I immediately noticed Macy to my left and her two friends to the right.

My head hit the pillow and I stared at the ceiling of Macy’s apartment. All the memories from last night rushed through my head, causing it to hurt more. One drink after another, followed by several shots. All the girls kissing and groping me. The scenes were foggy, but I recalled them. Oh yeah, and that one girl I took in to the bathroom and bent over the sink. I’d never done four girls in one night. Last night was definitely a new record.

Score.

My phone chimed and I caught sight of it on the edge of Macy’s nightstand.

“Will someone turn off that damn phone?” Macy complained, dragging a hand down the side of her face. Black makeup smeared across her cheek, and she looked a little scary. Why had I hooked up with her? She was attractive, but in a slutty kind of way. Definitely not a girl you’d be proud to take home to momma.

I reached over Macy and grabbed my phone. Unlocking it, I discovered I had two missed calls from Josh, three from Shawn, followed by a slew of texts from various people, and one voicemail from my mom.

“Oh shit,” I barked, seeing it was almost noon. I was two hours late for breakfast. Mimi was going to be pissed. “Time to get up, ladies.” I nudged the two girls to the right of me and then pulled my leg from their tangled bodies.

“Huh?” Jennifer moaned as she rolled over. I darted to the right, avoiding her flailing hand.

“Get off my pillow.” Shannon shoved Jennifer and they slapped at each other for few seconds. I had to admit, it was a little divine watching two naked girls fight in their sleep.

“Where’re you going?” Macy latched on to my arm and tugged.

I tried to ease my arm from her grip. “I have somewhere to be.”

“I’m not ready for you to leave.” She threw a leg over me and then straddled me.

“Hey,” I let out a slight laugh, “I gotta go.” Placing my hands around her waist, I tried to lift her off me, but she pushed down, turning her legs into vice grips.

A look of disappointment struck her face. “Why so soon? I thought we could continue our sexcapade from last night.”

I raked a hand through my matted hair and scratched the back of my head. It sounded enticing, but my dick couldn’t handle any more today.

“Sorry, I need to go see my granny before she leaves for New Orleans.”

Macy stared deep into my eyes, as if trying to uncover the truth in my statement. “Can’t she wait?” She traced the swirls of my tattoo and then spread her hands across my chest, giving my pecs a tight squeeze. The distraction almost worked.

Mimi was ten times more important than Macy. Besides, it really wasn’t any of her business what I had to do, and I sure as hell didn’t owe her an explanation. But knowing Macy, if I didn’t somehow convince her, she’d be determined to keep me in her bed. If I stayed, these girls would definitely be the death of me. I could see the headlines:
The Raven, found dead. Sex overdose to blame.
If there were such a thing.

“No. I was supposed to be there two hours ago.” I pointed to the voicemail my mom had left on my phone.

She stared at the phone for a moment and her lips twitched to the side. “Then I guess I better let you go.” Reluctantly, she slid off me, making sure to spread her hand slowly between my legs. Macy didn’t make it easy on me.

Jennifer stirred and then looked at me with weary eyes. “You’re leaving?” She pushed the brown strands from her face.

“Yeah, baby. I gotta go.” I gave her a quick peck on the forehead. “Thanks for a great night.”

“Anytime.” She shot me a happy smile and then pulled the covers over her body. Jennifer was more submissive and just went with the flow. Nothing like Macy. I wondered how many guys took advantage of her. I guess I was one of them.

Shannon stretched and yawned as she sat up. Her dark skin was mocha smooth and she was damn good in bed. Too bad she’d slept with half the team.

“You just gonna leave and not tell me bye?” She lifted her arms and pinned one of her braids to the side of her head.

“Of course not.” I placed my hands on her shoulders. Her boobs were huge and I couldn’t stop staring at them. They called to me, making me almost forget about breakfast. “I was going to get dressed first.”

“Uh, yeah, right.” She rolled her eyes, and I had to admit, she looked hot regardless of her cranky attitude.

“Call me,” I reminded her before kissing her thick, full lips.

“You know I will.” She taunted before falling back in bed next to Jennifer.

I crawled out of bed and gathered my clothes. Used condoms covered the floor — evidence of why I was so spent. I shook my head and went straight to the bathroom. I locked the door and pressed my hand against the panel, taking a few deep breaths. What happened last night didn’t matter. I screwed four girls. Big deal. I should’ve been happy. Fulfilled. But for some reason, I felt empty. I started to slip on my boxers when I caught of whiff of myself. Beer, liquor, and sex funk covered me. I couldn’t go to my mom’s smelling like this.

I made sure the door was locked before turning on the shower. The last thing I needed was Macy jumping in with me. Why had I screwed all these girls? I was better than that. Then I heard that voice — the one that reminded me I wasn’t. I was nothing but a fuck up. I’d never have anyone to love or care about me. Macy was the only kind of woman who would ever give me the time of day.

Heat filled the room and I wiped the steam from the mirror. Who was
The Raven
? Was I that lost? Would things ever get better for me? I licked my lips, craving something I vowed never to touch again. Last night, Jared showed up and tried to get me to take a hit of something. Luckily, Shawn talked some sense into me and Quinton made Jared leave. I knew drugs weren’t the answer, but when I drank, I found it easy to give in to their calling.

It was the same story, time and time again. Medicating on sex and liquor wasn’t right, but all I knew was it made me feel good. It allowed me to forget about the pain and check out for a while. After the night was over and the buzz had worn off, it brought me back to where I hated to be: reality.

***

I sat in class, trying to pay attention, but all I could think about was the apology I had drafted up last night. Was it good enough for Lexi? Would she forgive me so we could continue our tutoring sessions? I tossed the words around in my head, trying to form the perfect excuse. How I’d say it — with deep regret or just let it roll off my tongue?

Showing remorse to women wasn’t something I normally did, but I felt like I owed Lexi an explanation for my behavior. It was the least I could do. That’s if I got the chance. I glanced at my phone for the tenth time, making sure I hadn’t received a text or email from the coach or my academic advisor. I could only hope she was still willing to tutor me.

“Don’t forget your mid-term paper is due Thursday and your blog post is due next Tuesday,” the professor reminded us.